The Wild

First, let's be honest: "The Wild" is effectively the same film as "Madagascar." They are both animated comedies featuring almost the same configuration of creatures: a lion, a giraffe, and various little fuzzy things (here voiced nicely by Kiefer Sutherland, Eddie Izzard, Jim Belushi, William Shatner and Janeane Garofalo, among others), with narratives that are about the same as well. The animals leave the confines of their urban existence in city zoos and end up in what would be their natural habitats. There are even campy song and dance numbers in both movies -- though that may be obligatory to all animated animal stories. It's likely that even your kids will notice they are about the same -- but they won't care. They'll think it's funny or cute or whatever it is that kids between three and eight think about these things. But for the adult who may very well have to experience this film, and who may have experienced "Madagascar," "The Wild" is better. The animation is better, the jokes intended for your children are better, the jokes intended for you and not you children are much better, the songs are better, and it's more fun.
Voiced by Kiefer Sutherland, Eddie Izzard, Jim Belushi, William Shatner and Janeane Garofalo. Directed by Steve "Spaz" Williams. Written by Ed Decter, Mark Gibson, Philip Halprin and John J. Strauss. Produced by Beau Flynn and Clint Goldman. A Buena Vista release. Animated comedy. Rated G. Running time: 85 min